Macrocyclic molecules as hcv entry inhibitors

ABSTRACT

Compounds of Formula I, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are set forth, in addition to compositions and methods of using these compounds. The compounds have activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and may be useful in treating those infected with HCV.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/761,861 filed Feb. 7, 2013 which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to novel compounds of Formula I, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which have activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV), and are useful in treating those infected with HCV. The invention also relates to compositions and methods of using these compounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronically infects an estimated 170 million people worldwide, with 3 to 4 million infected individuals in the United States alone (Boyer, N. and Marcellin, P. J. Hepatology. 2000, 32:98-112; Alter, M. J., et al. Engl. J. Med. 1999, 341:556-562). Prior to the mid 1990s, transfusion with infected blood products was the main route of HCV transmission. Following the introduction of blood screening methods, transmission via injection drug use became the primary risk factor. Chronic infection often leads to the development of severe liver complications, including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV infection is also the leading cause of orthotopic liver transplantation in the United States. The degree to which disease progression is related to viral and cellular factors is not completely understood.

Considerable heterogeneity is found within the nucleotide and encoded amino acid sequence of the HCV genome (Simmonds, P. J. Gen. Virology. 2004, 85:3173-3188). Based on this sequence diversity, six major genotypes and multiple associated subtypes have been described. The genotypes of HCV differ in their worldwide distribution, and the clinical significance of the genetic heterogeneity of HCV remains elusive despite numerous studies of the possible effect of genotypes on pathogenesis and therapy.

Medical treatment for HCV is limited by the lack of a vaccine or approved therapies that specifically target the virus. Currently, patients undergo treatment with a combination of parenterally administered pegylated alpha-interferon and oral ribavirin. Genotype 1 HCV is the most difficult to treat and elimination of the virus (sustained virologic response) is achieved for only approximately 50% of patients (Fried, M. W. et al. N Engl. J. Med. 2002, 347:975-982; Zeumzem, S. Nature Clinical Practice. 2008, 5:610-622). This poor treatment response, combined with often severe side effects induced by therapy, highlight a need for improved antiviral drugs with better efficacy and safety profiles.

HCV is a member of the Flaviviridae family of viruses with a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome. Following infection of host cells, the 9.6 Kb genome is translated into a polyprotein precursor of approximately 3,000 amino acids (reviewed in Lindenbach, B. D. and Rice, C. M. Nature. 2005, 436:933-938; Moradpour, D, Penin, F., and Rice, C. M. Nature Reviews. 2007, 5:453-463). Post-translational processing by both cellular and viral proteases results in the generation of at least 10 separate viral proteins. The structural proteins (which by definition are found in mature virions) include core, E1, E2, and possibly p7, and originate from the amino-terminal region of the polyprotein. The core protein assembles into the viral nucleocapsid. The E1 and E2 glycoproteins form heterodimers that are found within the lipid envelope surrounding the viral particles, and mediate host cell receptor binding and entry of the virus into cells. It is unclear if p7 is a structural protein, and its role in replication has yet to be defined. However p7 is believed to form an ion channel in cellular membranes, preventing acidification of intracellular compartments in which virions are assembled, and it has been shown to be essential for viral replication and assembly. The nonstructural proteins NS2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B are produced through maturational cleavages of the carboxy-terminal region of the polyprotein. NS2 along with the amino terminus of NS3 form the NS2-3 metalloprotease which cleaves at the NS2-NS3 junction. Additionally, NS2 is involved in assembly and egress of nascent virions. The NS3 protein contains both a serine protease in its amino-terminal region, and a nucleotide-dependent RNA helicase in its carboxy-terminal region. NS3 forms a heterodimer with the NS4A protein, constituting the active protease which mediates cleavages of the polyprotein downstream of NS3, both in cis, at the NS3-NS4A cleavage site, and in trans, for the remaining NS4A-NS4B, NS4B-NS5A, NS5A-NS5B sites. The complex formation of the NS3 protein with NS4A seems necessary to the processing events, enhancing the proteolytic efficiency at all of the sites. The NS3 protein also exhibits nucleoside triphosphatase and RNA helicase activities. The NS4B protein has been shown to be important for localization of HCV proteins into replication complexes in altered membranous structures within the cell. NS5B encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase that is involved in the replication of HCV.

Subgenomic HCV replicons, containing the untranslated regions 5′ and 3′ to the coding sequence fused to the nonstructural proteins or the full-length polyprotein, are competent for translation, viral protein expression, and replication within cultured cells (Lohmann, V. et al. Science. 1999, 285:110-113; Moradpour, D, Penin, F., and Rice, C. M. Nature Reviews. 2007, 5:453-463). The replicon system has proven valuable for the identification of inhibitors targeting the nonstructural proteins associated with these functions. However, only limited subsets of HCV genotypes have been used to generate functional replicons.

Other systems have been used to study the biology of the HCV structural proteins that mediate the entry into host cells. For example, virus-like-particles made in recombinant baculovirus-infected cells with the HCV core, E1 and E2 proteins have also been used to study the function of the HCV E1 and E2 proteins (Barth, H., et al. J. Biol. Chem. 2003, 278:41003-41012). In addition, pseudotyping systems where the E1 and E2 glycoproteins are used to functionally replace the glycoproteins of retroviruses have been developed (Bartosch, B., Dubuisson, J. and Cosset, F.-L. J. Exp. Med. 2003, 197:633-642; Hsu, M. et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 2003, 100:7271-7276). These systems yield HCV pseudoparticles that bind to and enter host cells in a manner which is believed to be analogous to the natural virus, thus making them a convenient tool to study the viral entry steps as well as to identify inhibitors block this process.

Recently, a full-length genotype 2a HCV clone, JFH1, was isolated and demonstrated the ability to replicate in vitro. Through repeated passage and adaptation in cell culture increased titers of infectious virus were produced (Lindenbach, B. D., et al. Science. 2005, 309:623-626; Wakita, T. et al. Nature Med. 2005, 11:791-796). In contrast to the HCV replicon or pseudotyping systems, the infectious virus is useful for studying the complete HCV replication cycle, including identifying inhibitors of not only the replication proteins, but those involved in early steps in virus infection (entry and uncoating) and production of progeny viruses (genome packaging, nucleocapsid assembly, virion envelopment and egress).

Triazines have been disclosed. See WO 2009/091388 and US 2009/0286778.

The invention provides technical advantages, for example, the compounds are novel and are effective against hepatitis C. Additionally, the compounds provide advantages for pharmaceutical uses, for example, with regard to one or more of their mechanism of action, binding, inhibition efficacy, target selectivity, solubility, safety profiles, or bioavailability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention is a compound of Formula I, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:

wherein a, b and c are each nitrogen; or a and b are nitrogen, while c is —CH; or b and c are nitrogen, while a is —CH; or a and c are nitrogen, while b is —CH; Q₁ and Q₂ is an alkylene or alkenylene chain containing 0-6 groups selected from the group of O, NR³, S, S(O), S(O₂), C(O)O, C(O)NR⁴, OC(O)NR⁴, NR⁴C(O)NR⁴, and Z, provided that any O or S atom does not directly bond to another O or S atom, such that ring A is 13-32 membered; and wherein the alkylene or alkenylene chain is further substituted with 0-6 substituents selected from the group of alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, R⁶, (R⁶)alkyl, and phenyl, wherein the phenyl substituent is further substituted with 0-4 cyano, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, or haloalkoxy substituents; R¹ is selected from the group of alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxycycloalkyl, alkoxycycloalkyl, halocycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, indanyl, alkylcarbonyl, or benzyl wherein the benzyl moiety is substituted with 0-3 substituents selected from halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, hydroxy, and cyano; R² is selected from the group of cyano, hydrogen, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, and Ar; R³ is selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, and dialkyaminocarbonyl; R⁴ is hydrogen or alkyl; R⁵ is selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, (amino)alkyl, (alkylamino)alkyl, and (dialkylamino)alkyl; R⁶ is pyrollidinyl, piperidinyl, or piperazinyl, and is substituted with 0-3 substituents selected from alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, and benzyloxycarbonyl; Ar is selected from the group of phenyl, five-membered heterocyclic, six-membered heterocyclic, naphthalyl, and bicyclic heterocyclic;

U is N or CR¹¹;

R¹¹ is hydrogen or alkyl; X is selected from the group of O, CH₂, CO, CO₂, and C(O)NR⁵; and

Y is CN;

or Y is selected from the group of cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl, and which can be substituted with 0-3 substituents selected from the group of alkyl, 1,3-dioxol-2-one, phenyl, Ar, COOH, OH, NO₂, amino, amido, alkoxy, and alkyloxycarbonylamino; or Y is selected from the group of R²¹, COOR²¹, CONHR²², CONR²²R²³, SO₂R²¹, SO₂NHR²², SO₂NR²²R²³ and COR²⁴, R²¹, R²² and R²³ are each independently selected from the group of cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl, and which can be substituted with 0-3 substituents selected from the group of alkyl, 1,3-dioxol-2-one, phenyl, Ar, keto, COOH, OH, NO₂, amino, amido, alkoxy, and alkyloxycarbonylamino; or R²¹, R²² and R²³ are each independently alkyl with 1-3 substituents selected from the group of alkyl, 1,3-dioxol-2-one, Ar, keto, COOH, OH, NO₂, amino, amido, alkoxy, and alkyloxycarbonylamino; R²⁴ is selected from the group of alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl, and which can be substituted with 1-3 substituents selected from the group of alkyl, 1,3-dioxol-2-one, phenyl, Ar, keto, COOH, OH, NO₂, amino, amido, alkoxy, and alkyloxycarbonylamino; R¹¹ and Y can be connected by a carbon, oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atom to form a ring; and Z is selected from the group of C₃₋₇ cycloalkylene, phenylene, pyrrolidindiyl, piperidindiyl, and piperazindiyl.

The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula 1, including a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In addition, the invention provides one or more methods of treating hepatitis C infection comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I to a patient.

Also provided as part of the invention are one or more methods for making the compounds of Formula I.

The present invention is directed to these, as well as other important ends, hereinafter described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Unless otherwise specifically set forth elsewhere in the application, the following terms shall have the following meanings. “H” refers to hydrogen, including its isotopes, such as deuterium. “Halo” means fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo. “Alkyl” means a straight or branched alkyl group composed of 1 to 6 carbons. “Alkenyl” means a straight or branched alkyl group composed of 2 to 6 carbons with at least one double bond. “Cycloalkyl” means a monocyclic ring system composed of 3 to 8 carbons. “Alkylene” means a straight or branched divalent alkyl group. “Alkenylene” means a straight or branched divalent alkyl group with at least one double bond. “Cycloalkylene” means a divalent cycloalkane moiety composed of 3 to 7 carbons and includes gem-divalency (for example 1,1-cyclopropanediyl) as well as non-gem-divalency (for example, 1,4-cyclohexanediyl). “Alkylidinyl” means a divalent alkene substituent where the divalency occurs on the same carbon of the alkene. “Hydroxyalkyl,” “alkoxy” and other terms with a substituted alkyl moiety include straight and branched isomers composed of 1 to 6 carbon atoms for the alkyl moiety. “Haloalkyl” and “haloalkoxy” include all halogenated isomers from monohalo substituted alkyl to perhalo substituted alkyl. “Aryl” includes carbocyclic and heterocyclic aromatic substituents. Phenylene is a divalent benzene ring. “1,4-Phenylene” means 1,4-benzenediyl with respect to regiochemistry for the divalent moiety. Parenthetic and multiparenthetic terms are intended to clarify bonding relationships to those skilled in the art. For example, a term such as ((R)alkyl) means an alkyl substituent further substituted with the substituent R.

The substituents described above may be attached at any suitable point of attachment unless otherwise specified. However, it is understood that the compounds encompassed by the present invention are those that are chemically stable as understood by those skilled in the art. Additionally, the compounds encompassed by the present disclosure are those that are suitably stable for use as a pharmaceutical agent.

The invention includes all pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms of the compounds. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are those in which the counter ions do not contribute significantly to the physiological activity or toxicity of the compounds and as such function as pharmacological equivalents. These salts can be made according to common organic techniques employing commercially available reagents. Some anionic salt forms include acetate, acistrate, besylate, bromide, camsylate, chloride, citrate, fumarate, glucouronate, hydrobromide, hydrochloride, hydroiodide, iodide, lactate, maleate, mesylate, nitrate, pamoate, phosphate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, tosylate, and xinofoate. Some cationic salt forms include ammonium, aluminum, benzathine, bismuth, calcium, choline, diethylamine, diethanolamine, lithium, magnesium, meglumine, 4-phenylcyclohexylamine, piperazine, potassium, sodium, tromethamine, and zinc.

Some of the compounds of the invention possess asymmetric carbon atoms (see, for example, the structures below). The invention includes all stereoisomeric forms, including enantiomers and diastereomers as well as mixtures of stereoisomers such as racemates. Some stereoisomers can be made using methods known in the art. Stereoisomeric mixtures of the compounds and related intermediates can be separated into individual isomers according to methods commonly known in the art. The use of wedges or hashes in the depictions of molecular structures in the following schemes and tables is intended only to indicate relative stereochemistry, and should not be interpreted as implying absolute stereochemical assignments.

The invention is intended to include all isotopes of atoms occurring in the present compounds. Isotopes include those atoms having the same atomic number but different mass numbers. By way of general example and without limitation, isotopes of hydrogen include deuterium and tritium. Isotopes of carbon include ¹³C and ¹⁴C. Isotopically-labeled compounds of the invention can generally be prepared by conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art or by processes analogous to those described herein, using an appropriate isotopically-labeled reagent in place of the non-labeled reagent otherwise employed. Such compounds may have a variety of potential uses, for example as standards and reagents in determining biological activity. In the case of stable isotopes, such compounds may have the potential to favorably modify biological, pharmacological, or pharmacokinetic properties.

As set forth above, the invention is directed to compounds of Formula I, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:

wherein a, b and c are each nitrogen; or a and b are nitrogen, while c is —CH; or b and c are nitrogen, while a is —CH; or a and c are nitrogen, while b is —CH;

Q₁ and Q₂ is an alkylene or alkenylene chain containing 0-6 groups selected from the group of O, NR³, S, S(O), S(O₂), C(O)O, C(O)NR⁴, OC(O)NR⁴, NR⁴C(O)NR⁴, and Z, provided that any O or S atom does not directly bond to another O or S atom, such that ring A is 13-32 membered; and wherein the alkylene or alkenylene chain is further substituted with 0-6 substituents selected from the group of alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, R⁶, (R⁶)alkyl, and phenyl, wherein the phenyl substituent is further substituted with 0-4 cyano, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, or haloalkoxy substituents;

R¹ is selected from the group of alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxycycloalkyl, alkoxycycloalkyl, halocycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, indanyl, alkylcarbonyl, or benzyl wherein the benzyl moiety is substituted with 0-3 substituents selected from halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, hydroxy, and cyano; R² is selected from the group of cyano, hydrogen, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, and Ar; R³ is selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, and dialkyaminocarbonyl; R⁴ is hydrogen or alkyl; R⁵ is selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, (amino)alkyl, (alkylamino)alkyl, and (dialkylamino)alkyl; R⁶ is pyrollidinyl, piperidinyl, or piperazinyl, and is substituted with 0-3 substituents selected from alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, and benzyloxycarbonyl; Ar is selected from the group of phenyl, five-membered heterocyclic, six-membered heterocyclic, naphthalyl, and bicyclic heterocyclic;

U is N or CR¹¹;

R¹¹ is hydrogen or alkyl; X is selected from the group of O, CH₂, CO, CO₂, and C(O)NR⁵; and

Y is CN;

or Y is selected from the group of cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl, and which can be substituted with 0-3 substituents selected from the group of alkyl, 1,3-dioxol-2-one, phenyl, Ar, COOH, OH, NO₂, amino, amido, alkoxy, and alkyloxycarbonylamino; or Y is selected from the group of R²¹, COOR²¹, CONHR²², CONR²²R²³, SO₂R²¹, SO₂NHR²², SO₂NR²²R²³ and COR²⁴, R²¹, R²² and R²³ are each independently selected from the group of cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl, and which can be substituted with 0-3 substituents selected from the group of alkyl, 1,3-dioxol-2-one, phenyl, Ar, keto, COOH, OH, NO₂, amino, amido, alkoxy, and alkyloxycarbonylamino; or R²¹, R²² and R²³ are each independently alkyl with 1-3 substituents selected from the group of alkyl, 1,3-dioxol-2-one, Ar, keto, COOH, OH, NO₂, amino, amido, alkoxy, and alkyloxycarbonylamino; R²⁴ is selected from the group of alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl, and which can be substituted with 1-3 substituents selected from the group of alkyl, 1,3-dioxol-2-one, phenyl, Ar, keto, COOH, OH, NO₂, amino, amido, alkoxy, and alkyloxycarbonylamino; R¹¹ and Y can be connected by a carbon, oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atom to form a ring; and Z is selected from the group of C₃₋₇ cycloalkylene, phenylene, pyrrolidindiyl, piperidindiyl, and piperazindiyl.

More preferred compounds, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are selected from the group of

In addition, other preferred compounds, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are selected from the group of

Pharmaceutical Compositions and Methods of Treatment

The compounds demonstrate activity against HCV NS5B and can be useful in treating HCV and HCV infection. Therefore, another aspect of the invention is a composition comprising a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Another aspect of the invention is a composition further comprising a compound having anti-HCV activity.

Another aspect of the invention is a composition where the compound having anti-HCV activity is an interferon or a ribavirin. Another aspect of the invention is where the interferon is selected from interferon alpha 2B, pegylated interferon alpha, consensus interferon, interferon alpha 2A, interferon lambda, and lymphoblastoid interferon tau.

Another aspect of the invention is a composition where the compound having anti-HCV activity is a cyclosporin. Another aspect of the invention is where the cyclosporin is cyclosporin A.

Another aspect of the invention is a composition where the compound having anti-HCV activity is selected from the group of interleukin 2, interleukin 6, interleukin 12, a compound that enhances the development of a type 1 helper T cell response, interfering RNA, anti-sense RNA, Imiqimod, ribavirin, an inosine 5′-monophospate dehydrogenase inhibitor, amantadine, and rimantadine.

Another aspect of the invention is a composition where the compound having anti-HCV activity is effective to inhibit the function of a target selected from HCV metalloprotease, HCV serine protease, HCV polymerase, HCV helicase, HCV NS4B protein, HCV entry, HCV assembly, HCV egress, HCV NS5A protein, IMPDH, and a nucleoside analog for the treatment of an HCV infection.

Another aspect of the invention is a composition comprising a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, an interferon and ribavirin.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of inhibiting the function of the HCV replicon comprising contacting the HCV replicon with a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of inhibiting the function of the HCV NS5B protein comprising contacting the HCV NS5B protein with a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of treating an HCV infection in a patient comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In another embodiment the compound is effective to inhibit the function of the HCV replicon. In another embodiment the compound is effective to inhibit the function of the HCV NS5B protein.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of treating an HCV infection in a patient comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in conjunction with (prior to, after, or concurrently) another compound having anti-HCV activity.

Another aspect of the invention is the method where the other compound having anti-HCV activity is an interferon or a ribavirin.

Another aspect of the invention is the method where the interferon is selected from interferon alpha 2B, pegylated interferon alpha, consensus interferon, interferon alpha 2A, interferon lambda, and lymphoblastoid interferon tau.

Another aspect of the invention is the method where the other compound having anti-HCV activity is a cyclosporin.

Another aspect of the invention is the method where the cyclosporin is cyclosporin A.

Another aspect of the invention is the method where the other compound having anti-HCV activity is selected from interleukin 2, interleukin 6, interleukin 12, a compound that enhances the development of a type 1 helper T cell response, interfering RNA, anti-sense RNA, Imiqimod, ribavirin, an inosine 5′-monophospate dehydrogenase inhibitor, amantadine, and rimantadine.

Another aspect of the invention is the method where the other compound having anti-HCV activity is effective to inhibit the function of a target selected from the group of HCV metalloprotease, HCV serine protease, HCV polymerase, HCV helicase, HCV NS4B protein, HCV entry, HCV assembly, HCV egress, HCV NS5A protein, IMPDH, and a nucleoside analog for the treatment of an HCV infection.

Another aspect of the invention is the method where the other compound having anti-HCV activity is effective to inhibit the function of target in the HCV life cycle other than the HCV NS5B protein.

“Therapeutically effective” means the amount of agent required to provide a meaningful patient benefit as understood by practitioners in the field of hepatitis and HCV infection.

“Patient” means a person infected with the HCV virus and suitable for therapy as understood by practitioners in the field of hepatitis and HCV infection.

“Treatment,” “therapy,” “regimen,” “HCV infection,” and related terms are used as understood by practitioners in the field of hepatitis and HCV infection.

The compounds of this invention are generally given as pharmaceutical compositions comprised of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and may contain conventional excipients. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are those conventionally known carriers having acceptable safety profiles. Compositions encompass all common solid and liquid forms including for example capsules, tablets, lozenges, and powders as well as liquid suspensions, syrups, elixers, and solutions. Compositions are made using common formulation techniques, and conventional excipients (such as binding and wetting agents) and vehicles (such as water and alcohols) are generally used for compositions. See, for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 17th edition, 1985.

Solid compositions are normally formulated in dosage units and compositions providing from about 1 to 1000 mg of the active ingredient per dose are preferred. Some examples of dosages are 1 mg, 10 mg, 100 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg, and 1000 mg. Generally, other agents will be present in a unit range similar to agents of that class used clinically. Typically, this is 0.25-1000 mg/unit.

Liquid compositions are usually in dosage unit ranges. Generally, the liquid composition will be in a unit dosage range of 1-100 mg/mL. Some examples of dosages are 1 mg/mL, 10 mg/mL, 25 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL, and 100 mg/mL. Generally, other agents will be present in a unit range similar to agents of that class used clinically. Typically, this is 1-100 mg/mL.

The invention encompasses all conventional modes of administration; oral and parenteral methods are preferred. Generally, the dosing regimen will be similar to other agents used clinically. Typically, the daily dose will be 1-100 mg/kg body weight daily. Generally, more compound is required orally and less parenterally. The specific dosing regimen, however, will be determined by a physician using sound medical judgment.

The invention also encompasses methods where the compound is given in combination therapy. That is, the compound can be used in conjunction with, but separately from, other agents useful in treating hepatitis and HCV infection. In these combination methods, the compound will generally be given in a daily dose of 1-100 mg/kg body weight daily in conjunction with other agents. The other agents generally will be given in the amounts used therapeutically. The specific dosing regimen, however, will be determined by a physician using sound medical judgment.

Some examples of compounds suitable for compositions and methods are listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Type of Inhibitor or Brand Name Physiological Class Target Source Company NIM811 Cyclophilin Inhibitor Novartis Zadaxin Immuno-modulator Sciclone Suvus Methylene blue Bioenvision Actilon TLR9 agonist Coley (CPG10101) Batabulin (T67) Anticancer β-tubulin inhibitor Tularik Inc., South San Francisco, CA ISIS 14803 Antiviral antisense ISIS Pharmaceuticals Inc, Carlsbad, CA/Elan Pharmaceuticals Inc., New York, NY Summetrel Antiviral antiviral Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc., Chadds Ford, PA GS 9132 Antiviral HCV Inhibitor Achillion/Gilead (ACH-806) Pyrazolopyrimidine Antiviral HCV Inhibitors Arrow Therapeutics compounds and salts Ltd. From WO- 2005047288 26 May 2005 Levovirin Antiviral IMPDH inhibitor Ribapharm Inc., Costa Mesa, CA Merimepodib Antiviral IMPDH inhibitor Vertex (VX-497) Pharmaceuticals Inc., Cambridge, MA XTL-6865 Antiviral monoclonal antibody XTL (XTL-002) Biopharmaceuticals Ltd., Rehovot, Israel Telaprevir Antiviral NS3 serine protease Vertex (VX-950, inhibitor Pharmaceuticals Inc., LY-570310) Cambridge, MA/ Eli Lilly and Co. Inc., Indianapolis, IN HCV-796 Antiviral NS5B Replicase Wyeth/Viropharma Inhibitor NM-283 Antiviral NS5B Replicase Idenix/Novartis Inhibitor GL-59728 Antiviral NS5B Replicase Gene Labs/Novartis Inhibitor GL-60667 Antiviral NS5B Replicase Gene Labs/Novartis Inhibitor 2’C MeA Antiviral NS5B Replicase Gilead Inhibitor PSI 6130 Antiviral NS5B Replicase Roche Inhibitor R1626 Antiviral NS5B Replicase Roche Inhibitor 2’C Methyl Antiviral NS5B Replicase Merck adenosine Inhibitor JTK-003 Antiviral RdRp inhibitor Japan Tobacco Inc., Tokyo, Japan Levovirin Antiviral ribavirin ICN Pharmaceuticals, Costa Mesa, CA Ribavirin Antiviral ribavirin Schering-Plough Corporation, Kenilworth, NJ Viramidine Antiviral Ribavirin Prodrug Ribapharm Inc., Costa Mesa, CA Heptazyme Antiviral ribozyme Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals Inc., Boulder, CO BILN-2061 Antiviral serine protease Boehringer inhibitor Ingelheim Pharma KG, Ingelheim, Germany SCH 503034 Antiviral serine protease Schering Plough inhibitor Zadazim Immune modulator Immune modulator SciClone Pharmaceuticals Inc., San Mateo, CA Ceplene Immunomodulator immune modulator Maxim Pharmaceuticals Inc., San Diego, CA CellCept Immunosuppressant HCV IgG immuno- F. Hoffmann-La suppressant Roche LTD, Basel, Switzerland Civacir Immunosuppressant HCV IgG immuno- Nabi suppressant Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Boca Raton, FL Albuferon-α Interferon albumin IFN-α2b Human Genome Sciences Inc., Rockville, MD Infergen A Interferon IFN InterMune alfacon-1 Pharmaceuticals Inc., Brisbane, CA Omega IFN Interferon IFN-ω Intarcia Therapeutics IFN-β and EMZ701 Interferon IFN-β and EMZ701 Transition Therapeutics Inc., Ontario, Canada Rebif Interferon IFN-β1a Serono, Geneva, Switzerland Roferon A Interferon IFN-α2a F. Hoffmann-La Roche LTD, Basel, Switzerland Intron A Interferon IFN-α2b Schering-Plough Corporation, Kenilworth, NJ Intron A and Interferon IFN-α2b/α1-thymosin RegeneRx Zadaxin Biopharma. Inc., Bethesda, MD/ SciClone Pharmaceuticals Inc, San Mateo, CA Rebetron Interferon IFN-α2b/ribavirin Schering-Plough Corporation, Kenilworth, NJ Actimmune Interferon INF-γ InterMune Inc., Brisbane, CA Interferon-β Interferon Interferon-β-1a Serono Multiferon Interferon Long lasting IFN Viragen/ Valentis Wellferon Interferon Lympho-blastoid GlaxoSmithKline IFN-αn1 plc, Uxbridge, UK Omniferon Interferon natural IFN-α Viragen Inc., Plantation, FL Pegasys Interferon PEGylated IFN-α2a F. Hoffmann-La Roche LTD, Basel, Switzerland Pegasys and Interferon PEGylated IFN-α2a/ Maxim Ceplene immune modulator Pharmaceuticals Inc., San Diego, CA Pegasys and Interferon PEGylated IFN F. Hoffmann-La Ribavirin α2a/ribavirin Roche LTD, Basel, Switzerland PEG-Intron Interferon PEGylated IFN-α2b Schering-Plough Corporation, Kenilworth, NJ PEG-Intron / Interferon PEGylated IFN Schering-Plough Ribavirin α2b/ribavirin Corporation, Kenilworth, NJ IP-501 Liver protection antifibrotic Indevus Pharmaceuticals Inc., Lexington, MA IDN-6556 Liver protection caspase inhibitor Idun Pharmaceuticals Inc., San Diego, CA ITMN-191 (R-7227) Antiviral serine protease InterMune inhibitor Pharmaceuticals Inc., Brisbane, CA GL-59728 Antiviral NS5B Replicase Genelabs Inhibitor ANA-971 Antiviral TLR-7 agonist Anadys Boceprevir Antiviral serine protease Schering Plough inhibitor TMS-435 Antiviral serine protease Tibotec BVBA, inhibitor Mechelen, Belgium BI-201335 Antiviral serine protease Boehringer inhibitor Ingelheim Pharma KG, Ingelheim, Germany MK-7009 Antiviral serine protease Merck inhibitor PF-00868554 Antiviral replicase inhibitor Pfizer ANA598 Antiviral Non-Nucleoside Anadys NS5B Polymerase Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Inhibitor San Diego, CA, USA IDX375 Antiviral Non-Nucleoside Idenix Replicase Inhibitor Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA BILB 1941 Antiviral NS5B Polymerase Boehringer Inhibitor Ingelheim Canada Ltd R&D, Laval, QC, Canada PSI-7851 Antiviral Nucleoside Pharmasset, Polymerase Inhibitor Princeton, NJ, USA PSI-7977 Antiviral Nucleotide NS5B Pharmasset, Polymerase Inhibitor Princeton, NJ, USA VCH-759 Antiviral NS5B Polymerase ViroChem Pharma Inhibitor VCH-916 Antiviral NS5B Polymerase ViroChem Pharma Inhibitor GS-9190 Antiviral NS5B Polymerase Gilead Inhibitor Peg-interferon Antiviral Interferon ZymoGenetics/Bristol- lambda Myers Squibb

Synthetic Methods

The compounds may be made by methods available in the art, as well as those described below and including variations within the skill of the art. Some reagents and intermediates are known in the art. Other reagents and intermediates can be made by methods known in the art using readily available materials. The variables (e.g. numbered “R” substituents) used to describe the synthesis of the compounds are intended only to illustrate how to make the compounds and are not to be confused with variables used in the claims or in other sections of the specification. The following methods are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Abbreviations used in the schemes generally follow conventions used in the art. Chemical abbreviations used in the specification and examples are defined as follows: “NaHMDS” for sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide; “DMF” for N,N-dimethylformamide; “MeOH” for methanol; “NBS” for N-bromosuccinimide; “Ar” for aryl; “TFA” for trifluoroacetic acid; “LAH” for lithium aluminum hydride; “BOC”, “DMSO” for dimethylsulfoxide; “h” for hours; “rt” for room temperature or retention time (context will dictate); “min” for minutes; “EtOAc” for ethyl acetate; “THF” for tetrahydrofuran; “EDTA” for ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; “Et₂O” for diethyl ether; “DMAP” for 4-dimethylaminopyridine; “DCE” for 1,2-dichloroethane; “ACN” for acetonitrile; “DME” for 1,2-dimethoxyethane; “HOBt” for 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate; “DIEA” for diisopropylethylamine, “Nf” for CF₃(CF₂)₃SO₂—; and “TMOF” for trimethylorthoformate.

Abbreviations are defined as follows: “1×” for once, “2×” for twice, “3×” for thrice, “° C.” for degrees Celsius, “eq” for equivalent or equivalents, “g” for gram or grams, “mg” for milligram or milligrams, “L” for liter or liters, “mL” for milliliter or milliliters, “μL” for microliter or microliters, “N” for normal, “M” for molar, “mmol” for millimole or millimoles, “min” for minute or minutes, “h” for hour or hours, “rt” for room temperature, “RT” for retention time, “atm” for atmosphere, “psi” for pounds per square inch, “conc.” for concentrate, “sat” or “sat′d” for saturated, “MW” for molecular weight, “mp” for melting point, “ee” for enantiomeric excess, “MS” or “Mass Spec” for mass spectrometry, “ESI” for electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy, “HR” for high resolution, “HRMS” for high resolution mass spectrometry, “LCMS” for liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, “HPLC” for high pressure liquid chromatography, “RP HPLC” for reverse phase HPLC, “TLC” or “tlc” for thin layer chromatography, “NMR” for nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, “¹H” for proton, “δ” for delta, “s” for singlet, “d” for doublet, “t” for triplet, “q” for quartet, “m” for multiplet, “br” for broad, “Hz” for hertz, and “α”, “β”, “R”, “S”, “E”, and “Z” are stereochemical designations familiar to one skilled in the art.

Chemistry Experimental

The compounds may be made by methods known in the art including those described below and including variations within the skill of the art. Some reagents and intermediates are known in the art. Other reagents and intermediates can be made by methods known in the art using readily available materials. The variables (e.g. numbered “R” substituents) used to describe the synthesis of the compounds are intended only to illustrate how to make the compounds and are not to be confused with variables used in the claims or in other sections of the specification. The following methods are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Abbreviations used in the schemes generally follow conventions used in the art. Chemical abbreviations used in the specification and examples are defined as follows: “NaHMDS” for sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide; “DMF” for N,N-dimethylformamide; “MeOH” for methanol; “NBS” for N-bromosuccinimide; “Ar” for aryl; “TFA” for trifluoroacetic acid; “LAH” for lithium aluminum hydride; “BOC”, “DMSO” for dimethylsulfoxide; “h” for hours; “rt” for room temperature or retention time (context will dictate); “min” for minutes; “EtOAc” for ethyl acetate; “THF” for tetrahydrofuran; “EDTA” for ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; “Et₂O” for diethyl ether; “DMAP” for 4-dimethylaminopyridine; “DCE” for 1,2-dichloroethane; “ACN” for acetonitrile; “DME” for 1,2-dimethoxyethane; “HOBt” for 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate; “DIEA” for diisopropylethylamine, “Nf” for CF₃(CF₂)₃SO₂—; and “TMOF” for trimethylorthoformate.

Abbreviations are defined as follows: “1×” for once, “2×” for twice, “3×” for thrice, “° C.” for degrees Celsius, “eq” for equivalent or equivalents, “g” for gram or grams, “mg” for milligram or milligrams, “L” for liter or liters, “mL” for milliliter or milliliters, “μL” for microliter or microliters, “N” for normal, “M” for molar, “mmol” for millimole or millimoles, “min” for minute or minutes, “h” for hour or hours, “rt” for room temperature, “RT” for retention time, “atm” for atmosphere, “psi” for pounds per square inch, “conc.” for concentrate, “sat” or “sat′d” for saturated, “MW” for molecular weight, “mp” for melting point, “ee” for enantiomeric excess, “MS” or “Mass Spec” for mass spectrometry, “ESI” for electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy, “HR” for high resolution, “HRMS” for high resolution mass spectrometry, “LCMS” for liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, “HPLC” for high pressure liquid chromatography, “RP HPLC” for reverse phase HPLC, “TLC” or “tlc” for thin layer chromatography, “NMR” for nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, “¹H” for proton, “δ” for delta, “s” for singlet, “d” for doublet, “t” for triplet, “q” for quartet, “m” for multiplet, “br” for broad, “Hz” for hertz, and “α”, “β”, “R”, “S”, “E”, and “Z” are stereochemical designations familiar to one skilled in the art.

For the section of compounds in the 0000 series all Liquid Chromatography (LC) data were recorded on a Shimadzu LC-10AS or LC-20AS liquid chromotograph using a SPD-10AV or SPD-20A UV-Vis detector and Mass Spectrometry (MS) data were determined with a Micromass Platform for LC in electrospray mode.

HPLC Method (i.e., Compound Isolation).

Compounds purified by preparative HPLC were diluted in methanol (1.2 mL) and purified using a Shimadzu LC-8A or LC-10A or Dionex APS-3000 or Waters Acquity™ automated preparative HPLC system.

Preparation of Intermediate 1000:

Step 1: To a 100 mL round-bottom flask equipped with a stir bar was added 4-(aminomethyl)-2-chlorophenol hydrobromide (1.34 g, 5.63 mmol), tert-butyl 4-((4-chloro-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)benzoate (3.00 g, 5.63 mmol) and THF (28 mL). To the solution was added N,N-diisopropylethylamine (2.95 ml, 16.9 mmol). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 days. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the resulting residue was subjected to C₁₈ chromatography (water:methanol 1:1 to methanol) to afford tert-butyl 4-((4-((3-chloro-4-hydroxybenzyl)amino)-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)benzoate as a colorless solid (2.88 g, 90%). MS m/z=526.3 (M+H)⁺. Step 2: To a dry 30 mL vial equipped with a stir bar was added tert-butyl 4-((4-((3-chloro-4-hydroxybenzyl)amino)-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)benzoate (1.80 g, 3.18 mmol), potassium carbonate (1.32 g, 9.55 mmol) and acetone (16 mL). To the mixture was added 1,3-dibromopropane (3.37 ml, 25.5 mmol). The vial was placed in a 60° C. heating block with stirring for 2.5 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and then concentrated in vacuo. The resulting solid residue was subjected to SiO₂ chromatography (hexanes:EtOAc 85:15 to 75:25) to afford tert-butyl 4-((4-((4-(3-bromopropoxy)-3-chlorobenzyl)amino)-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)benzoate as a colorless solid (1.60 g, 78%). MS m/z=646.25 (M+H)⁺. Step 3: To a 100 mL round-bottom flask equipped with a stir bar and charged with tert-butyl 4-((4-((4-(3-bromopropoxy)-3-chlorobenzyl)amino)-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)benzoate (8.42 g, 13.0 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (15 mL) was added trifluoroacetic acid (15.0 mL, 195 mmol). The solution was stirred at room temperature for 2 h. The solution was diluted with toluene (20 mL) and then concentrated in vacuo to afford crude 4-((4-((4-(3-bromopropoxy)-3-chlorobenzyl)amino)-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)benzoic acid as a solid foam. Step 4: To a 100 mL round-bottom flask charged with the 4-((4-((4-(3-bromopropoxy)-3-chlorobenzyl)amino)-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)benzoic acid prepared above (13.0 mmol) was added CH₂Cl₂ (65 mL), and then N,N-diisopropylethylamine (7.95 mL, 45.5 mmol). The flask was cooled with a 0° C. bath. To the solution was added tert-butyl (3-amino-2,2-dimethylpropyl)carbamate (3.16 g, 15.6 mmol), and then O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HATU, 6.43 g, 16.9 mmol). The bath was removed and the solution was allowed to warm to room temperature with stirring for 1 h. The solution was transferred to a 1 L separatory funnel and was diluted with EtOAc (500 mL). The solution was washed with aq. 2M HCl (2×100 mL), and then with sat. aq. NaHCO₃ (100 mL), and then with sat. aq. NaCl (100 mL). The organic solution was dried over MgSO₄; filtered; and then concentrated in vacuo. The resulting solid residue was subjected to SiO₂ chromatography (hexanes:EtOAc, 1:1) to afford tert-butyl (3-(4-((4-((4-(3-bromopropoxy)-3-chlorobenzyl)amino)-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)benzamido)-2,2-dimethylpropyl)carbamate as a colorless solid (8.77 g, 81%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.89 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.76-7.66 (m, 1H), 7.62 (dd, J=15.6, 8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.35 (s, 1H), 7.22-7.15 (m, 1H), 6.96-6.89 (m, 1H), 5.16-5.04 (m, 1H), 4.73 (dq, J=12.2, 8.4 Hz, 2H), 4.57 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 2H), 4.19-4.14 (m, 2H), 3.69-3.61 (m, 2H), 3.28-3.18 (m, 2H), 3.00-2.92 (m, 2H), 2.36 (sxt, J=5.8 Hz, 2H), 1.46 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 9H), 0.91 (d, J=3.3 Hz, 6H); MS m/z=774.25 (M+1)⁺. Step 5: To a 100 mL round-bottom flask equipped with a stir bar and charged with tert-butyl (3-(4-((4-((4-(3-bromopropoxy)-3-chlorobenzyl)amino)-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)benzamido)-2,2-dimethylpropyl)carbamate (1.655 g, 2.136 mmol) was added CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL), and then trifluoroacetic acid (2.50 mL, 32.4 mmol). The solution was stirred at room temperature for 2 h. The solution was transferred to a 250 mL seperatory funnel and was diluted with EtOAc (75 mL). The solution was washed with sat. aq. NaHCO₃ (75 mL). The aq. phase was extracted with EtOAc (2×75 mL). The combined organics were washed with sat. aq. NaCl (50 mL); dried over MgSO4; filtered; then concentrated in vacuo to afford N-(3-amino-2,2-dimethylpropyl)-4-((4-((4-(3-bromopropoxy)-3-chlorobenzyl)amino)-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)benzamide trifluoroacetic acid as a colorless solid (1.52 g, 100%). MS m/z=674.25 (M+1)⁺. Step 6: To a dry 500 mL round-bottom flask equipped with a large stir bar and charged with N-(3-amino-2,2-dimethylpropyl)-4-((4-((4-(3-bromopropoxy)-3-chlorobenzyl)amino)-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)benzamide trifluoroacetic acid (7.461 g, 11.05 mmol) in Acetonitrile (315 ml) was added potassium carbonate (5.2 g, 38 mmol). The flask was fitted with a water-cooled reflux and the mixture was then stirred at reflux for 3 h. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the white solid residue was treated with CH₂Cl₂:MeOH (1:1, 500 mL) and vigorously agitated. The mixture was filtered and the filter cake was extracted with CH₂Cl:MeOH (1:1, 200 mL). The combined filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and the resulting white solid was triturated with MeOH (15 mL) to afford crude Compound 1001 as a white solid powder, 4.636 g (52%). A portion of the material was further purified by HPLC as follows: Column=Waters XBridge C18, 19×200 mm, 5-μm particles; Guard Column=Waters XBridge C18, 19×10 mm, 5-μm particles; Mobile Phase A=water with 20-mM ammonium acetate; Mobile Phase B=95:5 acetonitrile:water with 20-mM ammonium acetate; Gradient=20-100% B over 18 minutes, then a 4-minute hold at 100% B; Flow=20 mL/min. Fractions containing the desired product were combined and dried via centrifugal evaporation to afford pure Intermediate 3000. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 9.86 (s, 1H), 8.59 (t, J=5.2 Hz, 1H), 8.40 (t, J=5.6 Hz, 1H), 7.37-7.31 (m, 3H), 7.28-7.24 (m, 1H), 7.20 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.14 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 2H), 4.98 (q, J=9.2 Hz, 2H), 4.37 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 2H), 4.26 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 2H), 3.20 (d, J=5.2 Hz, 2H), 2.67 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 2H), 2.40 (s, 2H), 1.79 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 2H), 1.73 (s, 1H), 0.89 (s, 6H); MS m/z=594.3 (M+1)⁺. General Procedure to Prepare Formula I from 1000:

Acyl chloride or chloro formate or 4-nitrophenyl ester or (4-nitrophenyl) carbonate or cyanic bromide or sulfonyl chloride (1-20 eq.), 1000 (1 eq.) and Hunig's Base or Et₃N (1-100 eq.) were combined in THF or DMF. The mixture was stirred at room temperature or 115° C. for 17 hours. THF or DMF was removed via evaporation at reduced pressure and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and saturated NaHCO₃ aqueous solution. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was combined and dried over anhydrous MgSO₄. Concentration in vacuo provided a crude product, which was purified by tritaration, or recrystallization, or silica gel column chromatography, or Shimadzu automated preparative HPLC System.

Acid (1-20 eq.), 1000 (1 eq.) 3-(diethoxyphosphoryloxy)-1,2,3-benzotriazin-4(3H)-one (DEPBT) or O-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU) or (2-(7-Aza-1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate) (HATU) or 2-(6-chloro-1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethylisouronium hexafluorophosphate(V) (HCTU) (1-20 eq.) and Hunig's Base or N-methyl morpholine (1-100 eq.) were combined in THF or DMF. The mixture was stirred at room temperature or 115° C. for 17 hours. THF or DMF was removed via evaporation at reduced pressure and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and saturated NaHCO₃ aqueous solution. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was combined and dried over anhydrous MgSO₄. Concentration in vacuo provided a crude product, which was purified by titration, or recrystallization, or silica gel column chromatography, or Shimadzu automated preparative HPLC System.

1001

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 698.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 698.3 Retention Time 1.78 min LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN:95% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Solvent B 95% ACN:5% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN:Water:Ammonium Acetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3 u 1002

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 712.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 712.3 Retention Time 1.84 min LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN:95% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Solvent B 95% ACN:5% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN:Water:Ammonium Acetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3 u 1003

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 726.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 726.3 Retention Time 1.93 min LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN:95% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Solvent B 95% ACN:5% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN:Water:Ammonium Acetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3 u 1004

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 740.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 740.3 Retention Time 2.04 min LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN:95% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Solvent B 95% ACN:5% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN:Water:Ammonium Acetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3 u 1005

MS (M − H)⁺ Calcd. 722.3 MS (M − H)⁺ Observ. 722.4 Retention Time 1.95 min LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN:95% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Solvent B 95% ACN:5% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN:Water:Ammonium Acetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3 u 1006

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 714.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 714.3 Retention Time 1.97 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water-10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water-90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 30 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um 1007

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 714.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 714.4 Retention Time 2.02 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water-10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water-90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 30 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 x 30 mm 3 um 1008

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 694.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 694.4 Retention Time 1.79 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water-10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water-90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 30 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 33 mm 3 um 1010

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 751.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 751.3 Retention Time 2.08 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water-10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water-90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 30 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um 1011

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 738.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 738.4 Retention Time 2.17 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water-10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water-90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 30 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um 1012

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 765.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 765.4 Retention Time 2.07 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water-10% Methanol-0.1 % TFA Solvent B 10% Water-90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 30 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um 1013

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 783.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 783.4 Retention Time 2.11 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water-10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water-90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 30 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um 1014

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 727.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 727.4 Retention Time 1.48 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water-10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water-90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 30 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um 1015

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 743.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 743.4 Retention Time 2.13 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water-10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water-90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 30 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um 1016

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 713.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 713.4 Retention Time 1.47 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water-10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water-90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 30 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um 1017

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 754.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 754.4 Retention Time 2.05 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water-10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water-90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 30 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rte 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um 2001

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 676.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 676.2 Retention Time 1.78 min LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN:95% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Solvent B 95% ACN:5% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN:Water:Ammonium Acetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3 u 2002

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 664.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 664.2 Retention Time 1.85 min LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN:95% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Solvent B 95% ACN:5% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN:Water:Ammonium Acetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3 u 2003

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 678.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 678.2 Retention Time 1.98 min LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN:95% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Solvent B 95% ACN:5% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN:Water:Ammonium Acetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3 u 2004

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 776.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 776.4 Retention Time 2.36 min LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN:95% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Solvent B 95% ACN:5% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN:Water:Ammonium Acetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3 u 2005

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 776.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 776.4 Retention Time 2.36 min LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN:95% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Solvent B 95% ACN:5% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN:Water:Ammonium Acetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3 u 2006

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 714.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 714.2 Retention Time 1.99 min LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN:95% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Solvent B 95% ACN:5% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN:Water:Ammonium Acetate Column Phenomenex LUNA, C18, 30 × 2, 3 u 2007

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 744.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 744.3 Retention Time 1.91 min LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN:95% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Solvent B 95% ACN:5% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN:Water:Ammonium Acetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3 u 2008

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 759.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 759.2 Retention Time 2.01 min LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN:95% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Solvent B 95% ACN:5% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN:Water:Ammonium Acetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3 u 2009

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 764.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 764.2 Retention Time 2.12 min LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN:95% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Solvent B 95% ACN:5% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN:Water:Ammonium Acetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3 u 2010

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 764.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 764.2 Retention Time 2.03 min LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN:95% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Solvent B 95% ACN:5% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN:Water:Ammonium Acetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3 u 2013

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 772.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 580.0 Retention Time 1.35 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water-10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water-90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 30 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um 2014

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 750.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 750.4 Retention Time 2.01 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water-10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water-90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 30 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um 3001

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 619.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 619.2 Retention Time 1.89 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water-10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water-90% Metanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 30 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um 4001

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 760.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 760.2 Retention Time 1.933 LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN:95% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Solvent B 95% ACN:5% Water:10 mM Ammonium Acetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN:Water:Ammonium Acetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3 u

Preparation of Compound 2015:

Compound 2015 was synthesized by using the same procedure making 2014, using Intermediate 1000a instead of Intermediate 1000.

2015 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 826.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 826.5 Retention Time 1.91 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water-10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water-90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 50 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3um

Preparation of Compound 2016:

Compound 2016 was synthesized by using the same procedure making 2014, using Intermediate 1000b instead of Intermediate 1000.

2016 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 800.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 800.5 Retention Time 2.00 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water-10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water-90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 50 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3um

Preparation of Compound 1009:

To a solution of 1010 (12 mg) in CH₂Cl₂ (2 mL) was added TFA (0.5 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. All solvents were removed under vacuum. The residue was dissolved in 1.5 mL of DMF and purified by preparative HPLC system to offer 1009.

1009 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 651.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 651.3 Retention Time 1.48 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water-10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water-90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 50 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3um

Preparation of Compound 5001:

To a mixture of 1000 (60 mg) and NaH (40.4 mg) in DMF (2 mL) was added 4-(chloromethyl)-5-methyl-1,3-dioxol-2-one (150 mg). The mixture was stirred at r.t. for 16 hours. The reaction was quenched by water and the mixture was purified by preparative HPLC system to offer 5001.

5001 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 706.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 706.2 Retention Time 1.71 min LC Condition Solvent A 5 % ACN: 95% Water: 10 mM Ammonium Actetate Solvent B 95 % ACN: 5% Water: 10 mM Ammonium Actetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN: Water Ammonium Actetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3u

Preparation of Compound 5002:

To a suspension of 1000 (50 mg) and NaH (33.7 mg) in DMF (2 mL) was added 4-(bromomethyl)-5-methyl-1,3-dioxol-2-one (162 mg). The mixture was heated at 65° C. for 16 hours. The reaction was quenched by water and the mixture was purified by preparative HPLC system to offer 5002.

5002 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 818.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 818.3 Retention Time 1.92 min LC Condition Solvent A 5 % ACN: 95% Water: 10 mM Ammonium Actetate Solvent B 95 % ACN: 5% Water: 10 mM Ammonium Actetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN: Water Ammonium Actetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3u

Preparation of Compounds 2011 and 2012:

iPr₂NEt (0.25 mL) was added into a solution of 1000 (10 mg) and 4-nitrophenyl carbonochloridate (33.9 mg) in THF (1.75 mL). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours before NaH (26.9 mg) and pyridin-3-ylmethanol (73.5 mg) were added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The reaction was then quenched by water and the mixture was purified by HPLC system to offer 2011 and 2012.

2011 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 738.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 738.3 Retention Time 1.60 min LC Condition Solvent A 5 % ACN: 95% Water: 10 mM Ammonium Actetate Solvent B 95 % ACN: 5% Water: 10 mM Ammonium Actetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN: Water Ammonium Actetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3u 2012 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 729.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 729.2 Retention Time 1.70 min LC Condition Solvent A 5 % ACN: 95% Water: 10 mM Ammonium Actetate Solvent B 95 % ACN: 5% Water: 10 mM Ammonium Actetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN: Water Ammonium Actetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3u

Biological Methods

Infection Assays.

HCV pseudoparticles, produced using standardized methodology (Bartosch, B., Dubuisson, J. and Cosset, F.-L. J. Exp. Med. 2003, 197:633-642) were made via a liposome-based transfection procedure of 293T cells with plasmids expressing the murine leukemia virus capsid and polymerase proteins, an MLV genome encoding the luciferase reporter gene, and envelope glycoproteins from either HCV or vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). The genotype 1a HCV E1 and E2 envelope coding sequences were derived from the H77C isolate (GenBank accession number AF009606). Media containing pseudoparticles was collected 3 days following transfection, filtered, and stored at −20° C. as a viral stock. Infections were performed in 384-well plates by mixing pseudovirus with 1×10⁴ Huh7 cells/well in the presence or absence of test inhibitors, followed by incubation at 37° C. Luciferase activity, reflecting the degree of entry of the pseudoparticles into host cells, was measured 2 days after infection. The specificity of the compounds for inhibiting HCV was determined by evaluating inhibition of VSV pseudoparticle infection.

Compounds and Data Analysis.

Test compounds were serially diluted 3-fold in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to give a final concentration range in the assay of 50.0 μM to 0.04 pM. Maximum activity (100% of control) and background were derived from control wells containing DMSO but no inhibitor or from uninfected wells, respectively. The individual signals in each of the compound test wells were then divided by the averaged control values after background subtraction and multiplied by 100% to determine percent activity. Assays were performed in duplicate and average EC₅₀ values (reflecting the concentration at which 50% inhibition of virus replication was achieved) were calculated. Compound EC₅₀ data is expressed as A=0.01≦10 nM; B=10-1000 nM. Representative data for compounds are reported in Table 2.

TABLE 2 EC₅₀ EC₅₀ (nM) (nM) 1a 1a Example (H77C) (H77C) 1001

 0.864 A 1002

A 1003

A 1004

A 1005

 1.506 A 1006

A 1007

A 1008

23.930 B 1009

A 1010

A 1011

A 1012

A 1013

A 1014

A 1015

 0.932 A 1016

A 1017

A 2001

A 2002

A 2003

A 2004

A 2005

 2.847 A 2006

A 2007

A 2008

A 2009

 1.265 A 2010

A 2011

B 2013

A 2014

A 2015

A 2016

 0.109 A 3001

A 4001

 0.555 A 5001

 7.673 A 5002

A

It will be evident to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the foregoing illustrative examples, and that it can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential attributes thereof. It is therefore desired that the examples be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing examples, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of Formula I, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:

wherein a, b and c are each nitrogen; or a and b are nitrogen, while c is —CH; or b and c are nitrogen, while a is —CH; or a and c are nitrogen, while b is —CH; Q₁ and Q₂ is an alkylene or alkenylene chain containing 0-6 groups selected from the group of O, NR³, S, S(O), S(O₂), C(O)O, C(O)NR⁴, OC(O)NR⁴, NR⁴C(O)NR⁴, and Z, provided that any O or S atom does not directly bond to another O or S atom, such that ring A is 13-32 membered; and wherein the alkylene or alkenylene chain is further substituted with 0-6 substituents selected from the group of alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, R⁶, (R⁶)alkyl, and phenyl, wherein the phenyl substituent is further substituted with 0-4 cyano, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, or haloalkoxy substituents; R¹ is selected from the group of alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxycycloalkyl, alkoxycycloalkyl, halocycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, indanyl, alkylcarbonyl, or benzyl wherein the benzyl moiety is substituted with 0-3 substituents selected from halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, hydroxy, and cyano; R² is selected from the group of cyano, hydrogen, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, and Ar; R³ is selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, and dialkyaminocarbonyl; R⁴ is hydrogen or alkyl; R⁵ is selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, (amino)alkyl, (alkylamino)alkyl, and (dialkylamino)alkyl; R⁶ is pyrollidinyl, piperidinyl, or piperazinyl, and is substituted with 0-3 substituents selected from alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, and benzyloxycarbonyl; Ar is selected from the group of phenyl, five-membered heterocyclic, six-membered heterocyclic, naphthalyl, and bicyclic heterocyclic; U is N or CR¹¹; R¹¹ is hydrogen or alkyl; X is selected from the group of O, CH₂, CO, CO₂, and C(O)NR⁵; and Y is CN; or Y is selected from the group of cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl, and which can be substituted with 0-3 substituents selected from the group of alkyl, 1,3-dioxol-2-one, phenyl, Ar, COOH, OH, NO₂, amino, amido, alkoxy, and alkyloxycarbonylamino; or Y is selected from the group of R²¹, COOR²¹, CONHR²², CONR²²R²³, SO₂R²¹, SO₂NHR²², SO₂NR²²R²³ and COR²⁴, R²¹, R²² and R²³ are each independently selected from the group of cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl, and which can be substituted with 0-3 substituents selected from the group of alkyl, 1,3-dioxol-2-one, phenyl, Ar, keto, COOH, OH, NO₂, amino, amido, alkoxy, and alkyloxycarbonylamino; or R²¹, R²² and R²³ are each independently alkyl with 1-3 substituents selected from the group of alkyl, 1,3-dioxol-2-one, Ar, keto, COOH, OH, NO₂, amino, amido, alkoxy, and alkyloxycarbonylamino; R²⁴ is selected from the group of alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl, and which can be substituted with 1-3 substituents selected from the group of alkyl, 1,3-dioxol-2-one, phenyl, Ar, keto, COOH, OH, NO₂, amino, amido, alkoxy, and alkyloxycarbonylamino; R¹¹ and Y can be connected by a carbon, oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atom to form a ring; and Z is selected from the group of C₃₋₇ cycloalkylene, phenylene, pyrrolidindiyl, piperidindiyl, and piperazindiyl.
 2. A compound, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which is selected from the group of


3. A compound, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which is selected from the group of


4. A composition comprising a compound of claim 1, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 5. A composition comprising a compound of claim 2, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 6. A composition comprising a compound of claim 3, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 7. The composition of claim 4 further comprising at least one additional compound having therapeutic benefits for HCV wherein the compound is selected from the group of interferons, cyclosporins, interleukins, HCV metalloprotease inhibitors, HCV serine protease inhibitors, HCV polymerase inhibitors, HCV helicase inhibitors, HCV NS4B protein inhibitors, HCV entry inhibitors, HCV assembly inhibitors, HCV egress inhibitors, HCV NS5A protein inhibitors, HCV NS5B protein inhibitors, and HCV replicon inhibitors.
 8. A method of treating hepatitis C infection comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 1 to a patient.
 9. The method of claim 8 further comprising administering at least one additional compound having therapeutic benefits for HCV wherein the compound is selected from the group of interferons, cyclosporins, interleukins, HCV metalloprotease inhibitors, HCV serine protease inhibitors, HCV polymerase inhibitors, HCV helicase inhibitors, HCV NS4B protein inhibitors, HCV entry inhibitors, HCV assembly inhibitors, HCV egress inhibitors, HCV NS5A protein inhibitors, HCV NS5B protein inhibitors, and HCV replicon inhibitors. 